The Civil Society Network of Liberia (CSNL) has condemned the suspension of Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) Director General, Abraham Kromah and calls for his reinstatement.
The Network said while it welcomes the administrative action taken by President Joseph Boakai, it is of the belief that the suspension of Director General Kromah along with his two deputies, Hassan Fadiga and Gbawuo Kowou was an ill-advised and unfortunate.
The fracas at the LDEA was as a result of the two deputies failing to adhere to the Act creating the Agency, which gives supervisory powers to the Director General over the functions of the two deputies.
The Civil Society Network said the Act creating the LDEA provides clear reasons why the actions of the two deputies amount to acts of insubordination to their boss, as Section 21.107 through 21.110 of the 2014 Act provides that the Director General has greater powers, and also render the deputies just assistants or operatives with the dedicated authority of the Director General.
Section 21.107 states: “The Director General of the LDEA shall be responsible for the necessary changes in the organizational set-up which shall be submitted to the Minister for approval,” and therefore emphasized that Col. Kromah’s assignment of staff to departments, including the operational arm of the LDEA was consistent with the Act creating the agency.
The LDEA 2014 Act further provides in Section 21.107 a,b,c,d,e,f,&g that the Director General shall supervise and oversee all functionaries of the LDEA, including the workings of his two deputies.
Section 21.108 and 21.109 also clarified that the Deputy Director for Operations and Deputy Director for Administration shall work under the direction of the Director General, and are subject to his control, and all of their functions are carried out upon delegation by the Director.
The Civil Society Network of Liberia basing its statement on the powers given to the Director General of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency, said Fadiga and Kowou’s actions amount to gross insubordination and utter disrespect to their boss.
“Both Fadiga and Kowou have demonstrated egos that made them to refuse working under the control, direction and supervision of Col. Kromah. The two deputies were wrong and should have been penalized and not their boss, who they disrespected,” the Network reiterated.
It is disingenuous for Col. Kromah to have been suspended along with his deputies, because his action are in compliance with the powers and authority given him under the LDEA 2014 Act and the act of the President tends to set precedence,” the CSNL mentioned.
The Network recalled how Col. Kromah has demonstrated unparalleled dedication and professionalism at his places of work and that his character is replete with unmatched positive track record of respect to his bosses adding, “A review of Col. Kromah’s record of service in the security sector, shows that he has always shown respect for his bosses and coworkers, especially when he served as Chief of the Arm Forces of Liberia; the Maritime Commission and the Deputy for Operations at the Liberia National Police.”
Considering the critical roles of the Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency in combating drugs and clamping down on drugs traffickers, the Civil Society Network of Liberia called for Fadiga and Kowou’s dismissal.
